Ghana Ramps Up Border Surveillance to Keep Country Ebola-Free

The Ministry of Health has announced the recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have triggered heightened precautionary measures in Ghana aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness and response systems.

In a press release issued on May 18, the Ministry stressed that Ghana has not recorded any suspected or confirmed case of Ebola.

According to the Ministry, the government has activated a number of preventive interventions across the country to minimise the risk of a possible outbreak and enhance national readiness.

The measures currently being implemented include intensified surveillance and screening at airports, seaports and land borders, as well as increased monitoring of travellers arriving from affected countries.

The Ministry further stated that health workers are being trained and equipped to identify, isolate and manage suspected Ebola cases safely, while public health emergency coordination and rapid response systems have also been activated nationwide.

In addition, authorities are intensifying public education campaigns, risk communication and community awareness activities to ensure that citizens remain informed about the disease and the necessary preventive measures.

Explaining the nature of the disease, the Ministry said Ebola Virus Disease is a severe viral illness transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials and surfaces.

It noted that symptoms of the disease may include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, bleeding.

The Ministry urged members of the public to remain calm and strictly observe preventive protocols to reduce the risk of infection.

These include washing hands regularly with soap under running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers, avoiding direct contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, and refraining from handling dead bodies without appropriate protection.

The public was also advised to avoid handling or consuming sick or dead wild animals and to ensure that all meat is properly handled and thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Source: Graphic Online